Curling device



Nov. 22, 1938. ARPIN ET AL 2,137,828

CURLING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 3! l' I E [i Ummm'H'YUYWTUUUUU j .Zo A l ,i i I L y [50M/mo @sages 49pm'.

Amen-w cf. cou/cu.. @Sr/@ @i Nov. 22, 1938. L. G. ARPIN ET Al.

CURLING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 o N W 3 I. /lf/l/l/.l E 4 mw. WW m m .L

Patented Nov. 2.2, 1938 PATENT FFICE CURLING DEVICE Leonard George Arpin and Andrew J. Bedwell,

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Application June 27, 1938, Serial No. 215,976

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to a comb, and 4more particularly to a combined comb and hair curling device whereby a tress of hair is rst combed out, from the head to the hair ends, 'and 5 then wound about the device to form a curl.

Hair dressers form certain types of curls by combing out a tress of hair and then, beginning at the head of the customer, winding the tress about a nger of the operator. When the curl is thus completed, it is pushed oil the nger of the operator and against the head of the customer, and pinned in place until the hair, which is usually damp for the curling operation, dries. This procedure is continued until the head of hair is curled.

Such manner of making curls involves too much time of the operator, tires the operator to such an extent that after working a few hours she becomes exhausted or indifferent, with the result end of a business day,have improperly or carelessly fashioned curls. The customers who receive such service sometimes become disgusted and go elsewhere for the next hair dressing, thus causing the hair dresser loss of business.

4 The device of the present invention makes possible the formation of curls of uniform size and even appearance and eliminates the necessity of an operator having to wind a tress about her 3 nger, and is a device which may be used without tiring an operator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a combined comb and hair curler.

Another object of the invention is to provide a 35 simple device for hairdressing whereby hair may be quickly and evenly curled without causing fatigue of the operator or her customer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device wherein hair may be combed then l wound about the device to form a curl, and the comb teeth withdrawn from the curl, and the device withdrawn from the curl so formed.

The invention has for a still further object the n provision of a comb construction wherein the comb teeth may be projected'for use or housed for other purposes.

The present invention also contemplates as an object, a comb construction including a member, with respect to which the comb teeth are projectable and retractable, and wherein the projected teeth are restrained against retractive movement while the device is in use for combing purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined comb and hair curling device that those customers who are served toward the Y consisting of an elongated member wherein the comb teeth are arranged for projected position for combing purposes or housed within the member so that the member may be withdrawn from a curl wound about it.

Another and yet further object of the present invention is to provide an elongated member about which hair may be wound to 4form a curl; which member has comb teeth projectable for combing purposes and which may be housed 1U within the member to enable withdrawal of the member from a curl formed about it, together with means for projecting and housing the comb teeth.

Another and further object of the present invention is to provide a hair curling instrument in the general form of a member of oblong, substantially rectangular shape in end elevation, with aslot through one edge margin and a comb slidable in said slot to projected operative position or housed in inoperative position, and with the comb capable of limited endwise or longitudinal movement in the slot, together with means for positively locking the comb in projected position by endwise movement in one direction of the projected comb.

This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants copending application, Serial No. 152,490, filed July 8, 1937.

The above, other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following descripton and accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure lis a side elevational view, with the retractable comb teeth in projected position, illustrating` one form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View of the arrangement shown in Figure 1. 4U

Figure 3 is a fragmental, enlarged, longitudinal vertical sectional View taken through the comb of Figure 1, showing the comb teeth projected and locked against retractive movement.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing 45 the comb teeth in housed or retracted position.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal, horiaontal sectional View, taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line V--V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a. transverse sectionai view taken in 50 the plane indicated by the line vll-VI oi' Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view taken in y the plane indicated by the line Wim-VII of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken M2' `embodiment of the present invention showing the slidable comb projected for combing purposes.

Figure l1 is a plan viewof the comb of Figure 10 looking upwardly as the gure is arranged on the sheet.

lFigure 12 is fragmental, enlarged, longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the curling device of Figure 10, with the comb projected and locked in projected position, and showing certain details of construction.

Figure 13 is a similar view with the comb housed in inoperative position and locked in its housed position.

Figure 14 is an end elevational view of the curling device of Figure 10 looking at the righthand end of the same.

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line XV-XV of Figure 12, and

Figure 16 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line XVI-XVI of Figure 12.

The drawings will now be explained.

The structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, lnclusive, includes -an elongated member A, which is fashioned preferably from suitable moldable' material, such for example as Bakelite and having` one end portion I provided with a plurality of comb teeth 2, and itsother end widened to provide a housing 3 of substantial length to receive projectable and retractable comb teeth, herein pictured as a comb member B slidably arranged within the housing.

'Ihe comb structure B is shown as fashioned with a back 4 having a plurality of cut comb teeth 5 extending from one margin of the back, and at one end of the back is a trigger 6 having a thumb rest 'I integral with it, which is preferably concave. Adjacent this end of the back, the back is bored, as at 8, for a portion of its length, for a purpose to be later explained. The other end of the back isvformed with a longitudinally extending tongue 9.

In the formation of the housing 3, internal ribs or tongues I0 and II are formed on the inner surfaces of the housing, the ribs I0 being formed along one side of the inner surface, and the ribs II along the other side of the inner surface, Withthe ribs I0 and II relatively staggered lengthwise of the housing.

One side surface of the back l of the'4 comb is provided with notches I2 which, under certain circumstances, register with the ribs III to guide the comb structure B in its movement within the housing. The notches l2 are slightly wilder than the ribs I0 for the sake of economy in manufacture. In like manner the other side surface of the back o f the comb is provided with notches I3 for cooperating with the ribs I I.

In the formation of the member A. at the righthand end, as viewed in the drawings, a backturned ledge I4 is formed which cooperates with the tongue 9 on the adjacent end of the comb structure B to limit outward movement of this end of the comb structure, as may be observed in Figure 3. For supporting the comb structure B in the housing, any suitable means may be uti:

' lized. The illustrated form of means for ae*A complishing this purpose is shown as consisting of a spring wire I5 having one end entered in the bore 8 of the back 4 of the comb structure B, and the other bent, as at I6, and entered in a bore il in the part I of the comb structure A, adjacent the housing, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Preferably, the bore Il is at an angle to the direction of the length of the Wire I5, so that the Wire remains hooked in the bore Il.

The comb structure B is installed in the housing 3 by inserting the wire l5 in the bore 8 of the comb structure, hooking the tongue 3 underneath the ledge It, and then' inserting the end l@ of the Wire in its bore Il. When installed in themanner described, the comb structure B will occupy the projected position shown inFigure 3.

The width of the back 5 of the comb structure B is greater than the transverse distance between the confronting surfaces of the ribs I0 and ll, as may be observed in Figure 5, so that when the comb structure B is in projected or extended position, the inner margin of the back will rest against the tops or the ends of the ribs l and I I, as is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 6. The action of .the spring wire I5 is such as to urge the comb structure B towards the right end of the housing 3, as pictured in the drawings, to thereby maintain the comb structure B locked in projected position.

The end of the spring wire I5 within the bore is spaced from the inner end of the bore to permit movement of the comb structure along the length of the Wire. To house thecomb structure B, the operator presses her thumb against the rest 'I and moves the comb structure B to the left, as viewed in the drawings, until the notches I2 and I3 are in register, respectively, with the ribs I0 and I I, whereupon inward pressure applied to the seat 'I will cause the comb structure B to be movedinwardly of the housing, and therein housed, as shown in Figure 4. The widths of the notches I2 and I3 is such as to permit slight rocking movement of the comb structure B with respect to the ribs, while it is being housed, without appreciable binding action.

When the comb structure B has been housed as described, the operator removes her. thumb from the seat 1, whereupon the tendency of the spring Wire I5 will be to move the comb structure B to the right, as viewed in-Figure 4, thus causing sui'licient binding action of certain margins of the notches I2 and I3 against their ribs to prevent accidental projection of the comb structure.

To project the comb, the operator applies her thumb to the seat 1 and draws the comb structure B slightly to the left from the position viewed in Figure 4, whereupon thumb pressure is eased to enable thespring Wire I5 to then project the comb structure to the position shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6. When the comb structure B is projected, as described, a slight forward movement applied thereto by the thumb of the operator will then move the comb so that the notches in its back 4 are out of register with the ribs I0 and II, thereby locking the combstructure in projected position ready for use.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 to 16 inclusive includes a handle portion C formed at one end with a comb structure I8 and at the other end with a housing I9 having a slot 20 opening through one edge margin 2|.

Referring to Figures 10, 12 and 14, the extremity of the housing portion I 9 has its end Wall portion 22 spaced vertically to provide notches or openings 23 and 24 in this end of the housing. The notch 23 is adjacent the bottom wall 25 of the slot and the notch24 is adjacent the slotted margin 2|, where thehousing is formed with a shelf 2G serving as a stop for the adjacent end of the slidable comb D.

The slidable comb member D comprises a back 21, a plurality of teeth 28, and at its front end a finger 29 aligned with the teeth 28 and forming an end stop to engage the margin 30 of the piece 26 of the housing member to limit longitudinal movement of the comb member in one direction when projected. At the other end, the comb is formed with an integral part 3| carrying a curved widened portion or saddle 32 against which the operators thumb is applied to shift the comb member longitudinally for locking it in projected postion andl also for use in housing the comb within the slot of the housing portion i9 of the curling device.

Referring to the comb member D as it appears in Figures 12 and 13, a vertical notch 33 is formed in the portion 3| extending downwardly from the upper margin of "the comb back and terminates in an L-shaped portion 34 which constitutes a slot leg.- On the same side of the slot 33 and adjacent the margin of the comb back, the portion 3| is additionally notched at 35 to form an-l other leg, which notch has a margin 36 substantially parallel to the margins of the leg 34 of the notch. Rearw'ardly of the part 3| is a tail piece 31. At the forward end of the comb struc ture, a lug 38 extends forwardly of the front nger 29 adjacent the upper margin of the back 2l for engagement with the notches 23 and 24, dependingr on the position of the comb member D with respect to the slot.

For normally urging the comb member D .to-

projected position, the spring E is` utilized. The spring E is illustrated as formed from flat stock, wavy in edge elevation and having a loop 39 at one end, held in place by a rivet 40. 'I'he free end 4| extends along the back of the comb member D and rides against the rear or left-hand end of the comb member, as shown in Figure 13, when the comb member is housed. When the comb member is projected, as illustrated in Figure l2, the free extremity of the spring bears against the back of the comb member.

In order to prevent the rear end of the comb member D from being kicked out of the slot when projected, suitable means are provided for engaging the tail piece 31.

The means herein illustrated, for this purpose, includes a looped wire 42 having the ends of its legs inturned and entered in holes in the side surfaces of the handle. The bail 'or cross portion 42a crosses the slot 20 and overlies the tail piece 3l of the comb member D. A projection 42D is formed on one of the side surfaces of the handle in such position as to be engaged by one of the legs of the wire to hold its bail in place, To displace the wire, for removal of the comb member, its said leg may be snapped over the projection 42b as the wire is swung about its leg ends, in clockwise direction, as Viewed in Figures 10, 12 and 13. 4

Figure 12 illustrates the comb member D locked in projected or operative position while Figure 13 illustrates the comb member D in housed or in inoperative position, in which position it is also locked against projection.V

It will be observed that when the comb member D is locked in projected position, the edge 3S of the notch 35 is engaged over a pin 43 suitably supported in the side walls of the slot and which piu works within the slot 33 of the rear end of the comb portion 3| as the comb is moved between housed and projected positions.

When the comb member D is in housed position, it is locked therein by a longitudinal movement to engage the leg 34 of the slot 33 over the pin 43, as may be observed in Figure 13.

'I'he comb member of this form of the invention is manipulated by the operator to projected or `housed position as follows:

'I'he comb member D in projected position as shown in Fig, 12, is locked in this position by a longitudinal movement given to the comb member when projected to engage the tongue 38 in the notch 24 of the end of the housing and to bring the notch 35 into engagement with the pin 43, thus securely-locking the comb in projected position for use in combing hair.

After an operator has wound a tress of hair about the housing member, with the comb member D projected, and the curl is sufficiently formed, the comb member is then housed by the operator engaging her thumb with the saddle 32 moving thev comb member D to the left, as viewed in Figures 12 and 13 so as to bring the vertical portion of the notch 33 in alignment with the pin 43 whereupon the comb member D is moved into the slot in the position shown in Fig. 13 and then given a longitudinal movement to the right to engage the leg 34 of the notch with the pin 43 thus locking the comb member in housed or inactive position.

The several comb structures of this invention are illustrated as relatively thin with respect to their heights, with the overall dimensions but slightly greater than that of ordinary hand combs.

To form a roll-up curl with the form of the invention illustrated, the procedure is as follows:

The operator collects a tress of hair on the head of the customer and combs out this tress from the head of the custpmer to the tips of the hair, until the several hairs are properly separated. The operator then holds the ends of the hair against the body portion of the device, with the comb teeth projected, and beginning atthe tip ends of the hair of the tress rolls the tress on the body of the device until the device is rolled fiatwise against the head of the customer. During this movement, the teeth have been projected to prevent accidental displacement-of the curl. When the tress has been rolled as far as possible, or as far as desirable, the teeth are then housed to free them from the curl, whereupon the device may be withdrawn, endwise from the curl, without disturbing any part of it. The operator then presses the curl against the head of the customer and pins it in place, there to remain until the hair is dry.

Pin curls may be made with the device of the present invention by rolling a tress of hair, as explained. When the tress has been sufficiently rolled, the device is applied with its right-hand end, as viewed in the drawings, endwise against the head of a wearer and the curl pushed oif the device against the head of the wearer, and there held and pinned. In order to push the curl o thel device, the teeth have to be retracted or housed,

In the formation of curls with the device of the present invention, the hair is wound about the body portion of the device as tightly as the operator deems best, and then, with the comb teeth retracted, the device may be withdrawn from the curl without disturbing any of the hairs of the curl. By forming a curl in the manner rather than outside, so that the resultant effect is l stated, the, ends of the hairs are inside the curl,

a pleasing one. The appearance of curls fashioned with the'device of the present invention is an improvement over curls fashioned by winding tresses of hair about the fingers of the operator, as curls so formed have the ends of the hairs on the outside of the curls giving an appearance which is anything but pleasing and uniform.

The present invention concerns itself, in the main, with a device whereby hair may, with a single instrument or tool, be combed and curled, enabling the operator to form curls of even shape, size and appearance, and enabling her to fashion many more curls than she could do otherwise, and thus expediting hair dressing without fatigue to the operator or to the customer.

The comb structures of' the present invention are manufactured from such materials as may be readily sterilized without harm or damage -to any of the parts.

' The device of the present invention contemplates an elongated structure having a slot in which comb teeth may be projected or housed, as occasion demands.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, yet it is to be understood thatthe invention isA not to be limited thereby as changes may be made in the arrangelnient and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A device of the class described including an elongated member generally of oblong rectangulai;` form iniend elevation and comprising a handle portion and a body portion, said body portion being formed. with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb slidably mounted in said slot, spring means acting against said comb to urge it outwardly to projected position, said -comb and slot walls having cooperating guide means, and said comb being endwise shifted when in projected position to eiect misalignment of the guide means to lock said comb in said outward position.

2. A device of the class described including an elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portion and a body portion, said bodyV ing the comb in its movement in said slot, said comb being endwise shiftable when in outward position to effect misalignment of said guide means to thereby lock said comb in said outward position.

3. A device of the class described including an elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portion and a body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb shiftably mounted in said slot, a spring engaging said comb lengthwise thereof tending to urge it to outward position, said spring and comb being relatively endwise movable to enable longitudinal shifting of the comb, said comb and the side walls of said slot having cooperating ribs and grooves for guiding the comb in its movement in said slot, and said comb being endwise shifted when in outward position to effect misalignment of said ribs and grooves to therebylock said comb in said outward position.

4. A device of the class described including an elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle'portion and a body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb slidably mounted in said slot, spring means acting against saidcomb to urge it outwardly, said spring and combl being relatively endwise movable to enable longitudinal shifting of the comb, and means bearing against the comb back when the same is in outward position and has been shifted to lock said comb in said position.

5. A device of the class described including an relongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portion and a body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb slidably mounted in said slot, a thumb seat on said comb at the end thereof adjacent said handle operable for housing said comb, a spring secured at one end in said handle portion and with its other end entered endwise in said comb and extending longitudinally thereof and tending normally to urge said comb to outward position with its teeth projected, the other end of said comb having a part engageable with said body to limit outward movement of the comb in the slot, said spring and comb being relatively endwise movable to enable longitudinal shifting of the comb, said comb and the side Walls of said slot having cooperating ribs and grooves for guiding the comb in its movement in said slot, and-said comb being endwise shifted when in outward position to eiect misalignment of said ribs and grooves to lock said comb in said outward position.

6. A device of the class described comprising an elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portion and an integral body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through an edge margin, tongues formed on the walls of said slot and terminating inwardly of the edge margin of the slot, a comb slidably mounted in said slot, said comb having grooves adapted to register with said tongues and cooperate therewith to form guide means for projection and housing of the comb, spring means acting against said comb which will maintain it normally in' projected position, said comb being endwise shiftable when projected to move the comb grooves out of register with the slot tongues to thereby lockthe comb in projected position.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongated housing member having a slotted margin, a comb member slidable in said housing through said slot to projected operative A position and housed inoperative. position, said comb member having limited longitudinal move-` ment within said slot, and said housing and said comb member having interengageableparts for locking the comb in projected position when said comb has been projected and given endwise movement in one direction.

8. A curling device comprising a member having a handle and an elongated body of substantially oblong rectangular cross section with a slot opening through one edge margin. a comb member slidably arranged in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly to projected position, said comb member being endwise shiftable in said slot, and means rendered effective by endwise movement of the projected comb member in one direction i'or locking it in projected position.

9. A curling device comprising a member having a handle and an elongated body of substantially oblong rectangular cross section with a slot opening through one edge margin, a comb member slidably arranged in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly to projected position, said comb being endwise shiftable in said slot, and means rendered effective by endwise movement of said comb member when housed in one longitudinal direction for locking it in housed position.

10. A curling device comprising a member having a handle and an elongated body of substantially oblong rectangular cross section with a slot opening through one edge margin, a comb member slidably arranged in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly to projected position, said comb member being capable of endwise movement in said slot, and said body and'said comb member having means engageable on longitudinal movement of said comb member in the same direction in either of two positions for locking the comb member in its then position.

11. In a device ol the class described, means providing a slotted housing, a comb member slidable within said housing between projected operative position and housed inoperative position, said comb member having a thumb seat formed at one end and having a C-shaped slot formed in said thumb end of said comb member with legs of said slot vertically spaced and extending in the direction of the length of the member, a pin engaged in said housing and working in said comb member slot adapted to be engaged by either of said slot legs to hold said comb in selected position with respect to said slot.

12. In a device of the class described, means providing a slotted housing, a comb member slidable within said housing between projected opera.-A

tion with respect to said slot, the other end of g said comb member being provided with a projection for engaging notches in the end of said housing when said comb member is shifted to hold said other end of said comb member in substantial alignment with the rear end of said member as determined by engagement of said slot legs with said pin. i

13. In a device of the class described, means providing a slotted housing, a comb member slidable within said housing between projected operative position and housed inoperative position, said comb member having a thumb seat formed at one end and having a C-shaped slot formed in said thumb end of said comb member with legs of said slot vertically spaced and extending in the direction of the length of the memberJ said combmember and body having cooperating pin and notch means which become engaged when the comb member is moved longitudinally in said one direction to hold the other end of said comb member in locked position corresponding to the locked position of said one end.

14. In a device of the class described, means comprising a member having a handle and an elongated body of substantially rectangular cross section with a slot opening through one edge margin, a comb member slidably arranged in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly to projected position, said comb member having a tail piece, and means on said body for engagement by said tail piece when said comb member is projected to prevent displacement of said comb member from said slot.

`15. A curling device having a handle portion and body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot, a comb member slidable in said slot between projected or operative position and housed or inoperative position, a spring acting against said comb to project it, said comb being endwise shiftable in said slot when p rojected, and said body portion and said comb having means engageable when said comb is projected and endwise shifted in one irection to lock said comb in said projected position.

16. A device of the class described including an elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portion and a body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb member slidably arranged in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly, said comb member and said housing being relatively endwise shiftable, and said comb member and body portion having means engageable Ywhen said comb member is projected and longitudinally shifted for locking the comb member in projected position.

1'7. A device of the class described including an Y elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portian and a body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb member slidably arranged in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly, said comb member and said housing being relatively endwise shiftable, and said comb member and body portion having means engageable when said comb member is projected and longitudinally shifted for locking the comb member in projected position, said last means being operative to prevent endwise shifting of the comb member while being moved between housed and projected positions. i

18. A device ofthe class described including an elongated member generally of oblong rectangular form in end elevation and comprising a handle portion and a body portion, said body portion being formed with an elongated slot opening through one edge margin, a comb member slidably mounted in said slot, spring means acting against said comb member to urge it outwardly, said comb member being endwise shiftable in said slot, and means rendered effective by endwise shifting movement of said comb in one direction `for locking said comb member in projected posi- DSSCLEMER -2,137,828.-Le0mrd George Arpin and Andrew J. Bedwell, Fort Lauderdale', F1a. CURLING DEVICE. Patent dated November 22, 1938. Disclaimer "filed February 21, 1940, by the joint-inventor, Leonard George Arpn. Hereby enters this disclaimer of claims 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette March 19, 1.940.] 

